Admission Information

OBSERVATION PERIOD

Students interested in the Athletic Training Program must go through an observation and application process. Admittance to the program occurs at the conclusion of the fall semester. Students must enroll in AT 180: Fundamentals of Athletic Training, BI 101: Introduction to Biology I, and complete a 50-hour observation period prior to making their application for the Athletic Training Program. All observation hours must be completed prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

APPLICATION PERIOD

After the completion of the approximately 12-week rotation period and the accumulation of 50 observation hours, students are eligible to make their application to the Athletic Training Program. In order to apply, students must obtain an application from the Program Director (PD) and submit a letter of intent stating why they desire an Athletic Training Major along with three letters of recommendation. After submission of the required materials, the Athletic Training faculty and staff will interview prospective ATSs. In addition, the following documents must be on file and/or verified with the Athletic Training Program: medical history and physical examination, health insurance, immunization record, proof (or declination) of the Hepatitis-B vaccination series, technical standards, bloodborne pathogen and disease prevention training, confidentiality/FERPA training, and a signed ATS Handbook and Confidentiality Agreement.

The number of applicants accepted and enrolled in the Athletic Training Program is limited by an 8:1 student/clinical preceptor (on campus) ratio due to the highly individualized, “hands-on” nature of this program. The number of applicants chosen will be based on the number of empty slots in the program. Fulfillment of the stated requirements is not a guarantee of acceptance into the Athletic Training Program. Students that are not accepted in the Athletic Training Program are welcome to reapply the following fall semester.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Athletic Training Program is based on the following criteria:

A minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA.

A “C” or better in AT180: Funamentals of Athletic Training

A "C" or better in BI 101: Introduction to Biology I

Completion of a 50-hour observation period.

Submission of an application, letter of intent, and 3 letters of recommendation

An interview with the Athletic Training Faculty and Staff

Demonstration of skills and traits (dependability, responsibility, integrity, initiative, and communication skills) that are mandatory for an entry-level certified athletic trainer

Verification of a Medical History and Physical Examination

Verification of Health Insurance

Verification of Technical Standards.

Verification of Bloodborne Pathogen and Disease Prevention Training.

Verification of Immunization Records.

Verification/Declination of the Hepatitis-B Vaccination Series.

Verification of Confidentality/FERPA Training

A signed ATS Handbook and Confidentiality Agreement

Weighted Criteria

Admission to the Athletic Training Program is competitive and objective criteria must be established to justify the selection of qualified applicants into the program. Upon declaring intent to go through the application and observation period, students are provided with a checklist that states the criteria that must be successfully completed in order for the student to be considered for the program.

The final determination of students who will be admitted to the Athletic Training Program is based on the following criteria: cumulative GPA (50%), Freshman Rotation Evaluations (25%), and Interview (25%). Percentages will be calculated on each student. In the event that the number of slots is limited, these percentages will determine who is admitted. Fulfillment of the stated requirements is not a guarantee of acceptance into the Athletic Training Program.

Transfer Students

Transfer students who desire an Athletic Training Major must go through the initial observation and application process outlined above. Their academic coursework and clinical education experiences will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine the appropriate level at which the student should begin coursework within the Athletic Training Program. The Athletic Training Program does not accept Athletic Training courses from institutions that are not accredited by CAATE. For more information about Transfer Students, please refer to the ATS Handbook.

Technical Standards

The Athletic Training Program at Limestone College is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. The technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training Program establish essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to the program to achieve knowledge, clinical skills, and physical demands of an entry-level Athletic Trainer and to meet the expectations of the program's accrediting agency (CAATE). Students that apply to the Athletic Training Program must demonstrate a minimum level of physical and cognitive ability and fulfill the program's technical standards. All technical standards are in accordance with Limestone College's policies and procedures. For more information about Technical Standards, please refer to the ATS Handbook.

Costs Associated with the Athletic Training Major

For more information about the additional costs that are associated with the Athletic Training Major, please refer to the ATS Handbook.

One-Sport Policy

Student-athletes are eligible to apply for admission to the Athletic Training Program; however, it is imperative that student-athletes and coaches understand that the clinical education component of the program will at times conflict with sports. ATSs participate in a structured sequence of academic and clinical education courses and in order to be successful in the program, they must be aware of the following requirements:

All ATSs must limit their sport involvement to one sport per academic year following the completion of their freshman year. ATS that participate in Cross Country/ Track and Field must designate one semester as their off-season. For all intents and purposes, the Athletic Training Program considers Cross Country/ Track and Field as one sport. During the off-season, athletic training responsibilities will take precedence over sporting events.

All ATSs must designate a semester as their off-season in order to fulfill the out-of-season requirements.

All ATSs must be able to provide the Clinical Education Coordinator (CEC) and their assigned Clinical Preceptor with a monthly schedule for clinical hours. Coaches need to be aware that this schedule should include practice and competition times so that all parties can plan accordingly.

All ATSs that participate in intercollegiate athletics must fulfill all academic and clinical education courses/experiences.

All ATSs must participate in a general medical rotation and an internship at affiliate clinical sites.